Tips for parents and teens during the holidays

Tuesday

Dec 27, 2011 at 12:01 AMDec 27, 2011 at 6:00 AM

By Jenn Smith

The holiday season is a time for families to get together and celebrate. Kids are off from school, college students come home and relatives come to visit from out of town. Alcohol is often present during holiday celebrations. Unfortunately, drinking during the holidays may result in serious consequences, including alcohol poisoning, car crashes, or unplanned and unprotected sex. In fact, hospital emergency room visits involving underage drinking increase significantly on New Year’s Day compared to other days.

Teenagers often receive mixed messages about drinking. Parents and other adults may be drinking alcohol during the holidays, and some parents allow their teens to drink alcohol at home. It is illegal in many states for an adult to serve alcohol to a minor who is under 21, even in a personal home. In many states, an adult who serves alcohol to a minor may be held criminally responsible if a minor has been injured or died while under the influence of alcohol. In some states, the adult may also be held responsible if the alcohol was drunk in their home even if the adult was not in the home at the time.

Tips for parents during the holidays:

Be sure your teen understands that drinking under the age of 21 is illegal and not acceptable. Know where your teen is going. Who will be there? Will alcohol or other drugs be present? Will adults be home? Do those adults tolerate drinking in their home? Discuss with your teen situations where they may be pressured to drink and how they can respond to them. Be sure your teen knows for call immediately for emergency assistance if a partygoer needs medical attention and where to call. Make a plan with your teen for how they will get home. It is important that your teen not get in a car with a driver who has been drinking. Provide money for a taxi or public transportation if it is available and safe in your area. Make an agreement with your teen that if they call to ask for a ride that you will come and get them (no matter what time it is or where they are) and bring them home with no questions asked until later in the day. Be a role model. Drink responsibly. Never drink and drive. Never get in a car with a driver who has been drinking.

Tips for teens during the holidays:

Remember, it is illegal to drink alcohol under the age of 21. If you are at a party where people are drinking alcohol, remind others that it is possible to have a good time without getting drunk or drinking at all. Suggest other things for you and your friends to do like playing sports, listening to music, playing video games or watching movies. If you do chose to drink alcohol at a party, get your own drinks and do not walk away from your drink. Drugs can be mixed into your drink without you knowing it. If you are going to a party, bring friends with you and make sure all of your friends leave with you. People who get left behind at parties often end up getting drunk and passing out and have an increased risk of being raped. If a friend is in trouble, get help immediately. If a person is unconscious and not breathing normally, call an ambulance immediately. Don’t try to sober them up with a cold shower, slapping, or coffee. None of these things will work and only make getting medical attention take longer which could cost their life. Plan your ride home. Have a designated driver. Make sure that the driver does not drink any alcohol. Get together several friends and split the cost to take a taxi home or take the bus or train if it is safe in your area. Never ever drink and drive. Many states have enacted “Zero Tolerance Laws,” where it is illegal for minors to drive with even a tiny amount of alcohol in their bloodstream. Never get into a car with a driver who has been drinking. Never allow another person to drive if they have been drinking.

The holiday season should be a time for having fun celebrating with family and friends. Having fun never has to involve drinking alcohol not to mention that drinking alcohol under the age of 21 is illegal. If you get caught by the police your night of fun will not be fun in the end.

Drinking under the age of 21 and drinking in excess whether you are a teen or an adult is 100% preventable.

Jenn Smith is the mom of a teen who hasn't lost her mind, but frequently can't find it. She likes AC/DC and Justin Bieber and doesn't care who knows it! She blogs on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

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